No Bullying Month

Media Campaign to Educate about Cyber Bullying and Internet Safety for Children

Staff reports

Safe Schools for All, a collaboration of over 40 schools, nonprofits, and houses of worship, meets regularly to increase education on how adults can best help youth as they face difficult dilemmas around bullying. On Sept. 6th Safe Schools for All held “Train the Trainer” sessions on Cyber Bullying at the YMCA and at the Sherrill Center at UNCA. The coalition will also observe No Bullying Month during the month of October.

As the use of social media becomes more easily accessible, youth use it to target each other through cyber-bullying. According to the Cyber-bullying Research Center, 43% of kids have been bullied while online, and one in four has had it happen more than once. Gender differences also impact the social scene. Twenty-five percent of adolescent girls will experience cyber-bullying, compared to 16% of their male counterparts.

Topics covered at the workshop, led by Michele Lemell of Asheville City Schools, included: “How to have Open Conversations with Children on Internet Safety,” “Advice for Parents of Kids at Different Ages,” “Appropriate Conduct for Socializing Online,” “Communicating Online,” and “How to Deal with Cyber Bullying.”

The focus of the Safe Schools for All Coalition for No Bullying Month is to educate the adults who work with the youth of WNC including teachers, parents, after school caregivers, coaches, and religious leaders, about best practices.  For more information, or to participate, please email Deborah Miles at [email protected].